Hydropathic system

ABSTRACT

A hydropathic treatment system features, in combination, a compartment adapted for the storage of equipment used in hydropathic treatment and massage treatment, a compartment for a salt treatment, a compartment for a water and/or steam treatment, and a top means adapted to cover the aforementioned compartments and thereby provide a surface on which a patient may lie. The system coordinates a range of facilities for the treatment of a broad range of disorders known to be responsive to various forms of hydropathic treatment.

United States Patent 1191 Varea 51 May 27, 1975 l l HYDROPATHIC SYSTEM [76] lnvcntor: Pedro A. Varea, 1 16 38th St., Union City, NJ. 07087 [22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 415,954

[52] US. Cl 128/65; 128/365 [51] Int. Cl A6lh 9/00 [58! Field of Search 128/65, 66, 365, 369, 371, 128/373 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,040238 10/1912 Petter 128/369 X 3,366,110 H1968 Gaylord 128/369 X Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent, or Firm-David Fink l l ABSTRACT A hydropathic treatment system features, in combination, a compartment adapted for the storage of equipment used in hydropathic treatment and massage treatment, a compartment for a salt treatment, a compartment for a water and/or steam treatment, and a top means adapted to cover the aforementioned compartments and thereby provide a surface on which a patient may lie. The system coordinates a range of facilities for the treatment of a broad range of disorders known to be responsive to various forms of hydropathic treatment.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures O O O O 0000000000 OO'OOOOOOOO HYDROPATHIC SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION From early times, water has been used for the treatment of physical disorders or at least for the temporary relief from physical disorders. The development of this field has generally been called Hydropathy. Hydropathy includes treatment with hot water, cold water, salt water, and steam. Sometimes, a hydropathic treatment involves several separate treatments with water such as hot water then cold water.

In many respects, the field of hydropathy remains an art which has many variations according to the practitioner applying the treatment. Sometimes, a treatment may involve a steam treatment followed by a cold water bath or possibly a salt water bath.

Prior art hydropathic systems have presented serious inconveniences to patients because different types of water treatment are located in separate units in different parts of the treatment room or even in separate rooms. Previously, it had not been realized that it was possible to incorporate into a single hydropathic system the capability for hydropathic treatments requiring hot water, cold water, salt waterhot or cold-, or steam.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a hydropathic system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hydropathic system incorporating a capability for provid' ing salt water treatment, hot and cold water treatment, and steam treatment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hydropathic system incorporating a massage table in order to centralize the treatment of disorders through a combination of massage and hydropathic therapy.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following specification and in part will be obvious therefrom without being specifically referred to, the same being realized and attained as pointed out in the claims hereof.

Other objects of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear herein after.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of various devises, elements, and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof, one embodiment of the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawing and described in the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be examplified in a construction herein after set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and the objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the invention with portions cut away to show additional features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the invention taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the invention taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The hydropathic system I as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 constitutes an integration of a broad range of components which are generally employed for the treatment of disorders which are responsive to hydropathic therapy. Generally, the hydropathic system ll comprises three separate compartments. Compartment 2 preferably houses equipment for the use of hydropathic treatments. Typically, the compartment 2 includes a salt water supply 3 a pump 4 to supply water under pressure, a heater 6 for developing hot water or steam, and main valves 7 to control the water, salt water, and steam supply. The main valves 7 are positioned so that the therapist can maintain a control of the temperature and fluid rate independent of the patients control in order to avoid a possible accident or to supply a control where the patient is unable to do the same.

The salt water compartment 8 is for salt water treatment of a patient and has an openingat the top thereof. The top view of compartment 8 shown in FIG. 1 shows a cover 9 in position. The cover 9 is preferably perforated with holes to allow water to pass there through. Valves 11 permit a patient in compartment 8 to control the salt water flow and temperature. The salt water out let 12 is provided near foot treatment means 13 for the convenience of treating foot disorders. Of course, additional salt water spray outlets may be provided in other location within the compartment 8.

The foot treatment means 13 comprises a plurality of rotatable cylinders arranged parallel and defining a common plane. These cylinders may be of wood or plastic. For certain foot disorders, it has been found to an effective therapy to have the patient move his foot across the foot treatment means 13. It is convenient to locate the foot treatment means 13 so that a patient sitting on the top of the hydropathic system at the edge of compartment 8 can reach his foot down on to the foot treatment means 13. i

For some treatments, it may be desirable to have the patient get into compartment 8 for a salt water bath. Compartment 8 may be provided with a seat and it may be desirable to have the foot treatment means 13 removable to permit a patient to move around within compartment 8 easily. It has been found that a compartment 8 dimensions approximately 2 /2 by 3 feet is satisfactory but other dimensions may easily be used. Naturally, the compartment 8 should be satisfactorily sealed against leakage and the material used therein should be selected so as not to chemically react with the salt water. The drainage system 14 permits the removal of the salt water and may contain a means for recovering the salt from the salt water exiting therethrough. Salt recovery systems are well known and readily available. It is aesthetically pleasing to have the salt water supply means conducted through pipes located within the walls of the hydropathic system 1 so as not to be visibly detectable.

The steam compartment 16 is preferably somewhat larger than the compartment 8 and includes a seat 17 which may be approximately 16 inches long and located about a foot above the bottom of compartment 16. The steam outlet means 18 is controlled by valve means 19 water outlet means such as spray 21 is controlled by valve means 22 for temperature and flow rate. Other steam and water outlets may be provided such as water sprays 23, 24, and 26.

Cover 27 is shown in FIG. 1 covering the opening to compartment 16. The cover 27 is preferably perforated to permit the drainage of water therethrough. The compartment 16 is provided with drain means 28 for the drainage of water from the compartment 16.

A coupling connection means 29 may be provided at the top of the hydropathic system 1 to permit the coupling of a hose into the salt water supply system so that a spray of salt water may be directed on to a patient. Similarly, a coupling connection means 31 for coupling into the water supply system may be provided so that a spray may be used in connection with a patient.

It is desirable to have all of the pipes associated with supply means of the compartment 16 running through the walls of the compartments for aesthetic reasons. Naturally, the compartment 16 should be constructed of suitable materials and it has been found that a compartment approximately 3 by 3 feet in cross-section is satisfactory.

Generally, the height of the hydropathic system from the floor to the top surface can be varied according to the convenience of the therapist but approximately 3 feet 4 inches has been found to be satisfactory as is an overall length of approximately 7 /2 feet and a width of 3 feet 2 inches.

The top surface of the hydropathic system is preferably level when covers 9 and 27 are in position and should slope away from compartment 2 for obvious reasons.

A headrest means 32 may be provided for the convenience of a patient lying on the top of the hydropathic system one. The headrest means 32 is shown in two positions in FIG. 2.

A hood means 33 preferably of a plastic is provided so that a patient can lie on the top surface of the hydro pathic system 1 and be enclosed by the hood means 33 except for his head which will extend out through a suitable aperture in the hood means 33. The introduction of steam into compartment 16 will ultimately fill the enclosure defined by the hood means 33 and thereby provide a steam bath for a patient lying within the hood means 33. It is desirable to have the hood means rotatable about one of the long edges of the top of the hydropathic system 1. Preferably, the hood means 33 should form a fairly good seal when in the closed position.

The interconnection between the salt water 3, pump 4, heater 6, and the pipes forming the various supply means are well known and are not shown in order to avoid an unnecessary complication of the figures.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A hydropathic system for hot and cold water, salt water, and steam treatments for patients, said system comprising, in combination:

a first compartment adapted to house equipment for use in a hydropathic treatment;

a second compartment having an opening at its top adapted for use in a salt water treatment of patient; said second compartment comprising first water outlet means for the outlet of salt water, first valve means for controlling the outlet flow rate of the salt water, second valve means for controlling the temperature of the salt water from said first water outlet means, and first drain means for draining the salt water from said second compartment;

a third compartment having an opening at its top adapted for use in a water and/or steam treatment of a patient;

said third compartment comprising second water outlet means for the outlet of water, third valve means for controlling the outlet flow rate of the water, fourth valve means for controlling the temperature of the water from said second water outlet means, steam outlet means for the outlet of steam, fifth valve means for controlling the outlet flow rate of the stream, and second drain means for draining the water from said third compartment;

seat means adapted for use as a seat by a patient in said third compartment;

foot treatment means located in said second compartment and adapted for use by a patient sitting with a foot extending into said second compartment;

said foot treatment means comprising a plurality of rotatable cylinders arranged parallel and defining a common plane;

first water supply means for supplying salt water to said first water outlet means;

second water supply means for supplying water to said second water outlet means;

steam supply means for supplying steam to said steam outlet means; cover means to cover said second and said third compartments top openings whereby a continuous top surface is defined for said first, second, and third compartments for use by a patient on which to lie for a treatment; and main valve means for controlling the supply and temperature of the salt water, water, and steam of said supply means.

2. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover means has a plurality of holes defined therein to permit fluid communication therethrough from thereabove to said second and said third compartments.

3. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising hood means adapted to enclose the body of a patient lying on said top surface, said hood means having an aperture defined therein at the end near said first compartment to permit a patient to maintain his head outside of said hood means.

4. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising head rest means above said first compartment adapted to receive the head of a patient lying on said top surface.

5. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said top surface is sloped down away from said first compartment whereby water drains away from said first compartment.

6. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said steam supply means comprises a heater.

7. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said hood means is rotatably attached to the top surface along the edge thereof so that rotation is about an axis parallel to the center line of said hood means.

8. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said heater is located in said first compartment.

9. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a salt recovery means for recovering salt from the salt water in said first drain means.

10. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second water supply means comprises a water pump. 

1. A hydropathic system for hot and cold water, salt water, and steam treatments for patients, said system comprising, in combination: a first compartment adapted to house equipment for use in a hydropathic treatment; a second compartment having an opening at its top adapted for use in a salt water treatment of patient; said second compartment comprising first water outlet means for the outlet of salt water, first valve means for controlling the outlet flow rate of the salt water, second valve means for controlling the temperature of the salt water from said first water outlet means, and first drain means for draining the salt water from said second compartment; a third compartment having an opening at its top adapted for use in a water and/or steam treatment of a patient; said third compartment comprising second water outlet means for the outlet of water, third valve means for controlling the outlet flow rate of the water, fourth valve means for controlling the temperature of the water from said second water outlet means, steam outlet means for the outlet of steam, fifth valve means for controlling the outlet flow rate of the stream, and second drain means for draining the water from said third compartment; seat means adapted for use as a seat by a patient in said third compartment; foot treatment means located in said second compartment and adapted for use by a patient sitting with a foot extending into said second compartment; said foot treatment means comprising a plurality of rotatable cylinders arranged parallel and defining a common plane; first water supply means for supplying salt water to said first water outlet means; second water supply means for supplying water to said second water outlet means; steam supply means for supplying steam to sAid steam outlet means; cover means to cover said second and said third compartments top openings whereby a continuous top surface is defined for said first, second, and third compartments for use by a patient on which to lie for a treatment; and main valve means for controlling the supply and temperature of the salt water, water, and steam of said supply means.
 2. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover means has a plurality of holes defined therein to permit fluid communication therethrough from thereabove to said second and said third compartments.
 3. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising hood means adapted to enclose the body of a patient lying on said top surface, said hood means having an aperture defined therein at the end near said first compartment to permit a patient to maintain his head outside of said hood means.
 4. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising head rest means above said first compartment adapted to receive the head of a patient lying on said top surface.
 5. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said top surface is sloped down away from said first compartment whereby water drains away from said first compartment.
 6. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said steam supply means comprises a heater.
 7. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said hood means is rotatably attached to the top surface along the edge thereof so that rotation is about an axis parallel to the center line of said hood means.
 8. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said heater is located in said first compartment.
 9. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a salt recovery means for recovering salt from the salt water in said first drain means.
 10. The hydropathic system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second water supply means comprises a water pump. 